What is the difference between simple assault and aggravated assault, in a court of law?

Simple Assault - willfully causing bodily injury to another (includes pain) or negligently causing bodily injury by means of a weapon Aggravated Assault - willfully causes serious bodily injury (broken bones, serious permanent disfigurement, substantial risk of death, unconciousness, loss of oxygen or blood flow to brain, loss of use or impairment to body part or organ) or knowingly causes bodily injury or substantial bodily injury by use of a weapon or causes bodily injury or substantial bodily injury while attempting to inflict serious bodily injury or fires a firearm or hurls a destructive device at another In my state, Simple Assault is a misdemeanor, and Aggravated Assault is a felony.  more